BOURNEMOUTH is hoping to impress with its blooming beautiful flower displays at this year’s South and South East in Bloom competition.

Judges were taken on a 25 mile route tour around the town from Alum Chine to Hengistbury Head visiting a number of places in between, including Charminster, Linwood School, Boscombe, Bournemouth Gardens, and the revamped Pier Approach.

The horticultural competition is the largest in the region involving hundreds of communities each year. Participating towns endeavour to create lasting improvements to their local environment for the benefit of those that live, work and visit there.

Among the attributes under appraisal are horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation, which includes tackling litter, graffiti and anti-social behaviour, as well as conservation, sustainability and improving horticultural standards.

Councillor Lawrence Williams, cabinet member for tourism, leisure and the arts, said: “I know everyone has been looking forward to the judge’s visit and being able to show them all the hard work that has been done around the town.

“The wide range of fantastic floral displays and hanging baskets not only look wonderful but most certainly have had a positive impact on the town’s sense of place, community spirit and pride.”

Last year’s Bloom competition was a record-breaker for Bournemouth, and the town was awarded ten golds, three silver gilts and one silver, as well as winning the town award for the best in Dorset and for a large coastal town.

It is hoped that by participating in the competition, the community will benefit from cleaner and greener surroundings and improved public spaces. A reduction in anti-social behaviour is also anticipated by addressing issues such as littering and graffiti.

Many of the flowers and plants blossoming around the town are sold at the council’s King’s Park Nursery near Pokesdown Station. It is open Wednesday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm.